Whenever someone mentions skincare and essential oils, they primarily mean Coconut oil. It has a ton of benefits and seemingly everybody recommends it. It does however have one huge downside. Everybody that has oily skin can tell you this. Oily skin just does not seem to bode well with Coconut Oil. On top of making your skin even more oily, it is highly comedogenic. So what about non comedogenic oils?

If you are on the lookout for Non Comedogenic Oil that has the same, or even surpasses the benefits of Coconut oil, then you’ve come to the right place. It is time to stop suffering the dreaded side effects of using the wrong facial oils for your skin type. I mean, who wants acne breakouts when the only thing keeping you away from a clear skin is just a little bit of information.

Note: This article is about non-comedogenic oils. How you choose to use the oils is completely up to you. If you’re looking for anti acne treatments then we’d wholeheartedly recommend Ninja Skincare’s acne fighting products.

Comedogenics Ingredients

As you should be well aware by now, comedogenic ingredients are the ones that block the pores of your skin, thus facilitating the appearance of pimples. Doing some more in-depth research I have come up with a list of non comedogenic oils that you can use in case your face is prone to acne breakouts.

TOP 5 NON COMEDOGENIC FACIAL OILS

Here is a quick summary of the oils that are in this article. Every oil is rated on a scale from 0 to 5 according to it’s comedogenic rating. The lowest score an oil can recieve is 0 – meaning it’s wholly non-comedogenic. An oil with a rating of 5 on the other hand will most likely cause pore blockage and an acne outbreak.

Argan Oil

Argan Oil is the first thing that made it on our list is of non comedogenic oils, and for a good reason. Being rich in both Vitamin E and fatty acids it will do miracles for your skin. It will restore the elasticity of your skin and being non comedogenic it will not clog the pores of your face.

The added benefit of Argan oil is that it will re-hydrate your skin as well as lips. This will in turn reduce the number of wrinkles you have, helping the skin restore elasticity much, much faster. Being rich in nutrients and especially anti-oxidants, it will help in the healing of any scars that you might have from previous breakouts, or even cuts and burns.

It really is a all-in-one go-to oil for any person suffering from acne.

The American dermatology association gives it a comedogenic rating of 0, which means there is literally zero risk of pore-clogging. Argan oil is extracted from the root of the Argan tree, native to Morocco. In the Mediterranean, the Argan Tree is called ‘The tree of life’ and the oil ‘liquid gold’. This should give you an idea how much these people find it valuable.

Shopping tips for Argan Oil

With so many producers and brands out there, it is impossible to know which type of Argan Oil will work. But this doesn’t mean you should just go for the cheapest or the most aesthetically pleasing one. There still are some things that you can keep an eye out for when buying it.

Organic – Make sure that the product you are buying is also USDA certified since organic oil retains the greatest amount of beneficial nutrients. Products derived from conventionally grown trees will contain less Vitamin E.

Make sure it’s pure – When you have the option, always choose pure over dissolved Argan oil. A lot of producers will sell products labeled ‘Argan Oil’ when in fact there is only a fraction of the actual stuff. It’s not only that it will be less effective, but the rest of the ingredients might be comedogenic. This is definitely something that you would like to keep an eye out for.

Go for a dark bottle – A lesser known fact is that Argan oil is easily compromised when exposed to UV lights. This is why it’s very important that your product comes in a dark bottle that can protect the oil from sunlight.

Do not buy Moroccan Oil – Moroccan Oil is a cocktail of ingredients. There still is a considerable amount of Argan Oil in it, but it also contains Flaxseed oil and Coumarin among other things. While these ingredients are beneficial for the skin, they are highly comedogenic. Given the main purpose of non comedogenic oils is acne prevention and treating breakouts and scars, it would be highly counterproductive to use it.

When it comes to country of origin, we wholeheartedly recommend buying from vendors that actually come from Morocco. The methods of extraction and storage that are used in this tree’s homeland have been perfected over millennia. As a matter of fact, in Moroccan tradition it is absolutely necessary that picking and extracting the Argan Oil from the kernels is done completely manually.

The oil, after all, is responsible for 10% of the exports of Morocco. One of the best products out there that I recommend is Viva Naturals Organic Pure Moroccan Argan Oil since they get their produce directly from the source. You can check out the 4 runner ups below.

Jojoba Oil

Jojoba oil is made from the seeds of the Jojoba Shrub, native to Northern Mexico and the southern part of the USA. It is completely non-toxic, non-allergenic and most importantly, non-comedogenic. It stands out from the rest of the non comedogenic oils in this article because, well, it is technically not an oil.

This is because Jojoba oil, unlike other vegetable oils, is structurally and chemically very similar to human sebum. As such, it is readily absorbed by the skin. When used for skin treatments, it will help your skin twofold.

First, the jojoba oil will deeply penetrate the skin and dissolve any deposits that might be causing pore blockage and acne breakouts.

Second and in some cases even more important, it will help you get rid of any bacterial infections. The anti-fungal properties it possesses are, in fact, so strong that in parts of Mexico it is used as a fungicide.

When applied to the skin, the jojoba oil will act as a barrier, both preventing damaging molecules from coming in touch with your skin and keeping the moisture in.

Due to it’s chemical structure it has an extremely long shelf-life and extreme temperature tolerance. This is why it’s recommended even for people with occasional or rare acne breakouts. You just keep it in your bathroom and whenever you see a pimple, just apply some.

Shopping tips for Jojoba Oil

A lot of people prefer this oil over other non comedogenic oils due to it’s huge versatility in the pure, non-processed form.

Non-processed organic Jojoba oil has a golden color. It can be used as a base oil, when making soaps, shampoos, moisturizers and even lip balm. It also can be applied directly to the skin.

Usually non-processed first-press Jojoba oil comes with a heavier price tag. A lot of producers will try to cut corners, lowering the quality of the oil in the process.

The oil can be extracted either by cold-pressing using an expeller or chemically, the latter being cheaper. The problem is, the oil extracted this way is clear. This is why they later add aromatic and coloring chemicals. Most of these chemicals are highly comedogenic and even toxic to the skin.

You might also encounter second-press oil. This oil is the result of re-pressing the seeds. Naturally, this type of Jojoba Oil is of lower quality.

The least nutritious and beneficial type that you can encounter is processed Jojoba oil. Usually after the second pressing, the seeds are then processed. This type of oil is of the lowest quality and in my opinion, it can do more harm than good. Sometimes manufacturers will mix non-refined with refined oil in order to cut down on costs, so always look for pure, unmixed Jojoba Oil.

One thing to always bear in mind is that organic is always better. Always ensure that the product you are buying is organic and USDA certified since it will have the highest quality and the highest amounts of beneficial nutrients.

Exposing the highly sensitive Jojoba Oil to light will cause some of the nutrients to perish. This is why it’s also important that the product you choose to buy comes in a dark bottle. The dark glass will prevent any harmful UV rays coming in coming in contact with the oil.

One brand that I personally prefer and that satisfies all the previously mentioned criteria is the Pure Organic Jojoba Oil by Leven Rose. Below you can find the 4 runner ups.

Safflower oil

Safflower oil is made from Safflower seeds. Although it belongs to the same family, it is not to be confused with the more commonly used Sunflower Oil (Wanted to mention that before you run off to the kitchen). Unlike Sunflower Oil, Safflower oil is a non comedogenic oil.

The American association of dermatologist gives it a comedogenic rating of 0, meaning it’s totally safe for people with acne prone skin. An added bonus with this oil is that it will also neutralize any smells that your skin might produce.

In it’s purest form, Safflower oil is rich with Magnesium and Vitamin B6. Magnesium has been shown to both reduce skin oiliness and provide stress relief for acne burdened skin. Vitamin B6 on the other hand plays a vital role in skin rejuvenation and regrowth.

Just these two ingredients make Safflower oil a must-have in your arsenal if you are battling acne. And those are not even the most beneficial ones.

Safflower comes in two variants, depending on the fatty acids it contains. It can be either high in oleic, or high in linoleic acid and both types are beneficial for the skin.

Oleic acid has the advantage that it’s really easy to get a hold of, especially in it’s pure form. This is because vegetables and animal products contain large amounts of it. In your body, oleic acid will promote skin health. It acts as a natural moisturizer and has strong anti-inflammatory properties.

Linoleic acid on the other hand, is a little bit harder to obtain. Our body doesn’t naturally produce it and deficiency of linoleic acid will cause sticky sebum. Sticky sebum, in turn, leads to acne breakouts. Since it’s more lightweight than oleic acid, it will penetrate the skin deeper and it will absorb much quicker.

In some cases, oily skin needs to balance itself out and the only way to let this happen is by preventing breakouts. Linoleic acid will do exactly that. On top of everything, the fatty acid is also very effective in breaking down impurities.

When you compare the two, linoleic acid is by far a better choice than oleic acid. Hence, If you are looking for a non comedogenic oil to help you moisturize your skin and prevent breakouts, then Safflower Oil high in Linoleic acid is the way to go.

Some people might have sensitive skin but still not experience regular breakouts. In this case, you might want to give Safflower Oil high in Oleic Acid a shot. It’s still a non comedogenic oil and it will slowly repair the innermost layer of your skin.

Shopping tips for Safflower Oil

Now since Safflower Oil is widely used for cooking as well, it is very important to pay attention to the intended use of the product that you buy. This is primarily because lower quality oil is usually sold for cooking.

Always make sure that the oil you purchase is cold-pressed. Expeller pressed (chemically exctraced) oil might have traces of the chemical used. You would not want that anywhere near your skin.

Second thing to look out for is that the oil you are using is of organic origin. It costs a little bit more, but for a good reason. Non-organic Safflower oil has a lower amount of beneficial nutrients. You already are applying a very small amount for treatment. What would the point be if even that small amount is deprived of it’s nutrients. Make sure every product you buy is USDA certified.

If you have sensitive skin, it is also important to exclusively use Safflower Oil with high amounts of Linoleic Acid. While Oleic acid might help your skin, the benefits are nothing compared to the Linoleic variety.

One brand that stands out is the Body Bio Organic Safflower Oil. It is Organic, cold pressed and high in linoleic acid. Below, you can find other oils I would recommend.

Rosehip Seed Oil

Another superstar in the facial skin care is Rosehip Seed oil. It is made from the seeds of the Rosehip fruit, native to Chile. Talk about exotic oils! The uses of it date back to the Maya, Native Americans and Ancient Egypt. Throughout history it has been used primarily for the healing properties it possess. It was only recently that beauticians started incorporating this amazing oil in skincare products. Why amazing you might ask?

First of all, let me mention that the American Dermatologist association gives it a comedogenic rating of 1, meaning that it’s highly unlikely that this oil will cause a breakout.

Just like Argan oil, Rosehip Seed oil is full of nutrients. It contains over 70% essential fatty acids (EFA) , and a relatively high percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids. It is especially rich in linoleic and alpha-linoleic acid.

The role of these fatty acics is to help the regeneration of cell membranes and tissues. This in turn translates to complete skin rejuvenation and regrowth. Furthermore, they will help your skin restore elasticity and iron out any wrinkles you have picked up on your tours around the sun.

Rosehip Seed oil is rich in Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Vitamin D and B – carotene (a form of Vitamin A). These nutrients have been shown to help with the prevention of acne outbreaks. As we are all aware acne scars can be a pain to deal with, but Rosehip Seed Oil has your back. Due to the high B – Carotene amounts, It will level any differences in skin tone that you might have from sun exposure or healed scars.

The high vitamin content also has anti-inflammatory properties, meaning that you can use it even after the breakout has started.

Shopping tips for Rosehip Seed Oil

The quality and healing properties of Rosehip seed oil largely depend on a couple of factors. The origin and the production process. If the oil originates from conventionally grown plants, it will generally come at a lower price. However with the lower price comes a lower content of lycopene, minerals, as well as Vitamin A and C. This Oil will be pale yellow/yellowish in color. Contrary to this, oil from organically grown roses will have a vibrant yellow or even orange in color.

Another thing that will affect the nutritional content of Rosehip Seed oil is the production process. There are generally two ways of extracting it. It can either be slow-cooked or cold pressed. Slow – cooked oil will generally have a lower amount of beneficial nutrients due to the heat it was exposed to.

One way differentiate the two, is that cold-pressed oil will usually have a very thin layer of residue at the bottom. This is why it’s recommended to always shake the bottle before using it.

Bearing this in mind, we can conclude that the most nutritional benefits are found in Organically grown, cold pressed rosehip seed oil. The color of this oil would be vibrant yellow/orange/amber and there should be a thin layer of residue at the bottom. While it might come at a higher price, it is by far superior when compared to it’s conventionally grown, slow-cooked counterpart.

If we had to choose a brand, we’d say go for Radha Beauty Organic Rosehip Seed Oil. It is 100% Organic and USDA certified. Otherwise, you can still check out the other brands that made it in our top 5 list

Shea Butter

It this was a list of non comedogenic oils and butters, Shea butter would for sure take the first place. Shea butter is made from the nuts of the Shea tree native to Western Africa.

Shea butter is rich in Vitamin A and Vitamin E. These two vitamins actually work very well together. Vitamin A is your clean up guy. On the surface of the skin, It will eagerly bind to any free radicals it finds, removing them in the process. On the inside, it will control the amount of sebum your face produces. This good news because, after all, most comedogenic buildups happen because of sebum overproduction.

Vitamin E on the other hand will create a protective coating on the surface of your skin. This protective layer will keep oils that the face produces for longer. The longer the oils stay on the skin rather than oxidizing, the less need there is for your skin to produce more. To further the effects, this coating will trap water atoms as well. In practice, this translates to unparalleled moisturizing abilities.

Shea butter will also kick-start the production of collagen. Collagen is the building block that your skin uses to build new cells. It plays an even more important role in repairing damaged or otherwise compromised cells. It is used in pretty much any part of the skin cell, except for the cell core.

So what do these ingredients translate to for the people suffering from acne?

Shea butter will first of all regulate the oiliness of your skin. The vitamins in it will both reduce the production of oils and once produced not allow them to escape. When applied on vitamin-depraved skin, results can be seen immediately. The skin will feel smooth and soft. Don’t let this fool you. Skin that lacks Vitamins is prone to inflammations and Shea butter has strong anti-inflammatory properties. It will take at least 3 weeks if not more to have visible results.

People that suffer from acne usually suffer from acne scars as well. Scar tissue is either dead cells that need to be replaced by new ones, or damaged,deformed cells. This is where the body could use some external source of collagen, and Shea butter has plenty of it. When applied, Shea butter will soothe your skin and enable your skin the recovery period that it needs.

Shea butter is a wholly non comedogenic oil. It has a comedogenic rating of zero. This makes it very safe for skin that might be prone to breakouts due to pore clogging.

Buying tips for Shea butter

There are a couple of things that you need to keep an eye out for when buying Shea Butter.

First of all, it needs to be solid and white/ivory in color. There are many products that are advertised as Shea something and they contain minimal amounts of the actual butter. A good example of this is the Shea Butter Cream. Even the name matches, but in reality it contains less than 30% butter. I’m not saying it is bad, but we are talking about non comedogenic oils here. Any one of those ingredients could cause your acne to flare up. So the first tip is, read the label.

The second thing that you need to pay attention to is that you are the getting raw, unrefined product. You can recognize refined Shea butter by it’s color and texture. While raw butter has an ivory and sometimes even yellowish color, the refined version is uniformly white. This is because the refining consists of a series of procedures including degumming, bleaching, adding preservatives and aromatics. These procedures either partially or completely rob the Shea Butter of it’s nutrients.

One technique of checking if your butter is unrefined and raw comes directly from Ghana. They have, after all, been producing it for centuries and are the biggest exporter at the moment. Just take a little bit of Shea butter and rub it against your palms so it melts. If you feel small pieces of nuts once it melts away, then you got the right stuff. The traditional, organic way of production will always have small amounts of raw Shea nuts.

While we’re at it, a word of warning. Shea butter comes from the NUT of the Shea tree. This means that people that are allergic to nuts should be careful with it. Consult a professional before trying anything. Depending on the severity of your allergy, and if you feel brave enough, test it on a small patch of skin first.

As we mentioned earlier, it is mainly produced in Ghana. This is why when I am buying I want to go directly to the source. This is how you can be sure that your product is both raw and organic.

My personal recommendation is the Unrefined African Shea Butter by Better Shea Butter. The whole company, after all revolves around it and they always deliver. They, however are not the only ones. Below are the 4 runner ups for the title. Feel free to check them out.

OTHER NON COMEDOGENIC OILS WORTH CHECKING OUT

Raspberry Seed Oil

This list would not be complete without the marvelous raspberry seed oil. While there has been a craze going on about it, it has mostly been connected to weight loss. The oil extracted from the seeds of the Raspberry, however, can prove to be even more beneficial to the skin. It is slowly gaining popularity for being on par with Argan and Jojoba oil.

The high antioxidant content will help revitalizing your skin as well as evening out any wrinkles you might have picked up along the way. Antioxidants will aid your skin repair process by mopping up any free radicals that might be present.

The high content of Vitamin E will also help with the regrowth.

What is most important, however, is the high content of linoleic and alpha linoleic fatty acid. The Raspeberry seed oil has a unique composition being both rich in these acids as well as being low in oleic acid.

Acne breakouts usually occur dye to sticky sebum, which in turn is caused by lack of linoleic acid.

On top of everything, Raspberry Seed Oil is a wholly non comedogenic oil, meaning it will not cause pore blockage in any way. It is godsent for anyone trying to combat acne, acne scars all the while nurturing their skin.

Shopping tips for Raspberry Seed Oil

Since Raspberries can be grown pretty much anywhere on the planet, there a lot of suppliers of the oil. Still, even if that is the case, the general rules apply. Always try to go for Organic, Cold Pressed and most importantly, pure oil. If the product you buy lacks any of these qualities, the oil can have fewer beneficial nutrients or even harm your skin. I would personally recommend the Raspberry Seed Oil made by Organic Pure Oil. Their selection of oils is not that big and this is why I think they are experts in their own trade. In case you would like to shop for other brands, feel free to check the runner ups below

Mango butter

Mango butter deserves a mention right next to Shea butter because for people allergic to nuts, mango butter is a very decent substitute. But don’t let this lead you to thinking it is less beneficial. It has a unique composition being moderately high in oleic and moderately low in linoleic acid.

When applied to the skin, it will thoroughly moisturize it. In fact, Mango butter is one of the oils that will keep your skin hydrated for the longest time.

Due to it’s high fatty acid content, it is very effective in combating free radicals. Free radicals damage and impair the function of the sebum of your skin. This leaves the follicles exposed and prone to inflammations, which in turn leads to acne breakouts.

The high Vitamin content of Mango butter (Vitamins A,C and E) is unparalleled by any other other oil except maybe by Raspberry Seed Oil.

For the people suffering from acne, Mango butter can prove to be very beneficial.

First of all it will moisturize your skin. It will also help fight any bacterial infections or momentary inflammations that might be causing your breakouts.

Mango butter can also greatly help you with the healing of acne scars. It is even more effective when it comes to skin blemishes.

Mango butter is widely used because it actually can be used anywhere, anytime, by anyone. Some of the reasons it is so popular include:

It can be used on any skin type

Has a relatively long shelf life of 1 – 1.5 years

Provides strong protection against harmful UV rays

When used for soap making, it will lead to hard bars that are still contain rich conditioning lether

Does not react with other oils so it can be used in mixtures and as a base oil

It is really an all-in-one skin treatment. Mango butter should not be missed by anyone trying to combat acne. Mango butter has a comedogenic rating of 0, making it completely non comedogenic.

Shopping tips for Mango Butter

Finding the right Mango Butter can sometimes prove to be a very daunting tasks. There are a lot of producers out there and not all of them are honest. There are the things that you need to watch out for

First of all make sure it’s pure. Mango butter is often mixed with Coconut oil or Shea butter in smaller amounts. While the combination is good for most people, Coconut oil is highly comedogenic and someone can be allergic to Shea Butter.

Make sure that you are getting a cold pressed and more importantly non processed product. During the processing of Mango Butter a lot of ingredients are added. While it might not pose a problem to some, people with sensitive skin can have adverse effects.

Buy a facial butter and not a body butter. The skin on the face is by far more sensitive than the rest of the body. This is why sometimes body butters will contain additional ingredients (for shelf life, aroma etc.) that can are harmless when used on other body parts but are quite bad for the facial skin.

Hemp Seed Oil

Hemp Seed Oil has been used in Asia since the beginning of recorded history. Eastern cultures give it huge importance as a treatment for a lot of stuff, one of which, you guessed it, acne and skin care. Hemp Seed oil has been forgotten by Western Culture for many years due to the stigmatization of the recreational use of marijuana, but Hemp Seed Oil that is sold legally over the counter, contains virtually zero THC (the active compound in marijuana). After being avoided for 5 centuries, it is time for Hemp Oil to make a return and take it’s place among other uniquely non comedogenic oils. It’s rich both in Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids, in a ratio very similar to that present in the skin. This makes it perfect for treating your dried up skin. It will also promote skin rejuvenation by healing any scars or wrinkles. The American Dermatologist association gives it a comedogenic rating of 0, just like Argon Oil, making it one of the more highly recommendable non comedogenic oils.

To quickly sum up the above paragraphs.

Some of the best and most beneficial non comedogenic oils that will not clog the pores of your skin include:

Argan Oil

Jojoba Oil

Safflower Seed Oil

Rosehip Seed Oil

Shea Butter

Mango Butter

Raspberry Seed Oil

Hemp Seed Oil

Prickly Pear Seed Oil

Camelina Oil

Watermelon Seed Oil

LIST OF COMEDOGENIC OILS

We decided to make this article a bit more helpful with adding a list of known comedogenic oils. These oils will surely cause breakouts, or at least mild irritation on acne prone skin. Dissolving some these oils will help you reap some of their benefits, but it’s not an exact science. Therefore, we recommend you avoid these oils completely. In order to navigate the list more easily, follow the basic principles. Comedogenic rating of 3 will cause breakouts on very sensitive skin. A factor of 4 will cause acne on more resistant skin and a comedogenic factor of 5 will surely cause a breakout on anyone with acne prone skin.

Coconut oil – 5

With a factor of 5, everybody that has ever had acne problems should avoid coconut oil completely. Even watering it down will not help reducing it’s high comedogenic factor. Coconut butter is also highly comedogenic (factor 4), so try to limit use as well. Using coconut oil for acne scars treatment, on the other hand, can prove to be very effective. It is, however, paramount that you remove the facial mask within 20 minutes.

Wheat germ oil – 5

Just as dangerous as coconut oil, wheat germ oil will also cause breakouts. Recommended to avoid. If you still want something similar to wheat germ oil, try Avocado Oil. It has nearly identical nutrients and benefits the skin in a similar way, but it’s comedogenic rating is a modest 2.

Palm kernel oil – 4

Not as dangerous as wheat germ and coconut oil, but still quite high in comedogenic ingredients. You might be able to use it with limited application but always be careful, since uneven distribution or bigger amounts will cause breakouts. A non comedogenic oil substitute, or well, less comedogenic is Peanut Oil, with a rating of 2.

Linseed oil – 4

Similar to the palm kernel oil, linseed oil is also not a thing acne prone skin readily welcomes. Limit it’s use or avoid it all together. Use safflower oil instead, it will provide you with the same benefits, minus the acne of course.

This condludes the big 4 when it comes to Comedogenic Oils.

THE COMPLETE TABLE OF OILS AND COMEDOGENIC RATINGS

How to Interpret Comedogenic Ratings

This table contains the comedogenic ratings of 83 types of oils that are available on the market. As we mentioned earlier, people with sensitive, acne prone skin should stick to facial oils that have a comedogenic rating between 0 and 2.

An oil with a rating of 3 may or may not cause an outbreak and it’s best to test it on a small patch of skin first.

Oils rated 4 and up can cause severe acne problems and only worsen symptoms. They should be avoided as much as possible.

The table can be sorted by both column and row and if you still can’t find what you are looking for, there is the search function.

The comedogenic rating of every product has been checked using multiple tools and then finally checked against relevant data from the American Association of Dermatology and the Journal it releases.

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